Wonderful Weekend

Last week, I decided to make the trek to Utah to attend President Hinckley's funeral. I was fortunate enough to get some "extended family tickets" to his funeral and that was my cue to go. This decision was made on Wednesday morning. Peter was going to come with me but later on that day decided he really needed to stay at home. I went to mutual that night really nervous to make the drive with Dallin and Claire all by myself the next morning. I then saw Ali (one of our favorite babysitters and an amazing 15 year-old) in the hall. I asked her if she wanted to drive with me to Utah the next day, she asked her mom (another one of my favorite people), called me at 10 p.m. to say okay and I picked her up that next morning at 7:30. What a blessing she was to me on this trip. She picked up the kid's toys when they dropped them, she put bandaids on pretend owies, she watched the kids while I put gas in the car or ran to the restroom, she even caught the chewed up candy (that Claire didn't want) in her hand. I don't know what I would have done with out her. The trip to Salt Lake was wonderful and we had an absolutely amazing weekend there. Here are some of our unforgettable memories:

Thursday-

-Had dinner with my brother, Dave, in Provo (the kids were so excited to see him).

-Stayed the night with the Sipes in their beautiful home in Sandy. The kids had a hard time going to sleep with all the fun things to do there.

Friday -

-Played in the snow that morning and then got ready to attend President Hinckley's viewing.

-Dave and Jen (my cute sis) met us at the Sipes and we drove to Salt Lake.

-Met up with Milo Wright (was my sunday school teacher and is a good friend of the family from Washington who now lives across the street from the Conference Center).

-Stood in line (and sat in the Conference Center) for 4 hours before we were taken the the hall of prophets to see our beloved prophet. My sweet children were wonderful as we waited for what must have been an eternity to them. The 4 hours waiting was absoulutely worth the 15 seconds we had to walk past our prophet and pay tribute to him. Tears filled my eyes as I passed the casket and Dallin asked why I was crying. I told him it was because I love President Hinckley so much and will really miss him. My sweet Dallin then got huge tears in his eyes as he saw the prophet and said "I love him too, Mom." My trip was complete.

-After this incredible experience for all of us, we went back to the Wright's apartment and were able to visit with Milo and Maria for a bit (they sure are wonderful)!

-When we arrived back at the Sipes home, there was a fabulous dinner waiting for us (of course made by Ann) and we had a fun evening of stories and dominoes.

Saturday-

-What an unforgettable day this was. Dave, Jen, Ali, Sydney (Ali's sister), and I were fortunate enough to get tickets and attend President Hinckley's funeral in the Conference Center (thank you Jim and Ann for watching the kids). Never in my life have I experienced the Spirit like I did that day. The funeral was amazing and I literally felt like I was being suffocated by the Spirit (in a really good way). After the funeral was over (and before the procession to the cemetary), I passed about 30 sister missionaries all crying with smiles on their faces and hugging each other. It made me so grateful for the opportunites we have to feel of the spirit with members of our faith and shed a few (or a lot) tears together. I was really touched to see their love for the prophet and each other.

-After President Hinckley's grave was dedicated and the funeral came to a close, a group in the audience at the Conference Center began to sing "We Thank Thee O God For a Prophet." Just when I thought the day couldn't be any better (or any more emotional), I became overcome with emotion and gratitude for the opportunity I had to be there. When that song came to a close and we all began to quietly file out, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sang "God Be With You Till We Meet Again" as they walked out of the Conference Center. Never in my life will I forget this experience or the feeling of absolute surety that this man who has passed was the true prophet of the Lord. I would have walked from California to Utah to have had this experience.

-We drove back to Provo to stay with my Grandma Hinckley and always love being with her!

Sunday-

-Dallin, Claire, Jen and I attended Dave's singles ward at BYU and it brought back all sorts of fun memories. Dave bore a beautiful testimony and the kids were the absolute center of attention (since there are no kids in the single's wards). We had a great time playing in Jen's cute apartment and Dallin attended "Break the Fast" with Dave (and apparently learned how to flirt during a pretty great snowball fight).

-We had a wonderful dinner at my cousin Shaun's house and enjoyed playing games and watching the Superbowl together. Dallin and Alyson (cousin) had so much fun together as did Claire and Garrett (cousin).

Monday-

-We made the drive back home. Ali had a blast hanging out with Sydney and being a part of the college crowd over the weekend and it was so wonderful being able to reminisce with her about our amazing weekend. We listened on the radio to the announcement of the new First Presidency and it made me realize how grateful I am for the gospel and for our past and present prophet and I am also so grateful for the strengthing of my testimony this weekend. What a wonderful weekend!!

While we were waiting in line for the viewing, a photographer from a St. George newspaper took pictures of Dallin and my brother Dave playing "rock, scissors, paper." Here is the link to see the photo:
http://www.thespectrum.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=G3&Date=20080201&Category=PHOTOGALLERIES10&ArtNo=802010801&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=6